Sweden ( ; ), officially the Kingdom of Sweden (Swedish: ), is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. Sweden borders Norway and Finland, and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Øresund. At , Sweden is the third-largest country in the European Union by area, with a total population of about 9.7 million. Sweden has a low population density of with the population mostly concentrated to the southern half of the country. About 85% of the population live in urban areas. Southern Sweden is predominantly agricultural, while the north is heavily forested.

Birthdate: December 29, 1971Birthplace: Vessigebro, SwedenHeight: 1.80 mtsWeight: 73 kgsPosition: MidfielderInternational: 39 caps, 2 goals (as of July 29, 2000)World Cups: 0Previous Clubs: Vessigebro, Halmstads, IFK Gothenburg, Sheffield WednesdayTransfer Fee: $3.20 Millions of Dollars A skilful right-sided midfielder, he combines hard work with undeniable skill. Primarily an attacking midfielder, he has recently begun scoring the crucial goals that many had regarded as the missing ingredient in his game. He recovered from a serious cruciate ligament injury in 1998, and was recommended to then Sheffield Wednesday FC coach Ron Atkinson by his international team-mate Roland Nilsson. Moved to Everton, after Sheffield's relegation.Fenerbahçe &amp Sweden

Birthdate: October 6, 1967Birthplace: Eskilstuna, SwedenHeight: 1.95 mtsWeight: 92 kgsPosition: ForwardInternational: 77 caps, 31 goals (as of July 29, 2000)World Cups: 1 (1994)Previous Clubs: Eskilstuna, IFK Gothenburg, Malines, Norkopping, Lille, Caen, Bari, Bologna, SS Lazio, BolognaTransfer Fee: $6.00 Millions of DollarsThe top scorer in the Swedish squad. He starred in the 1994 World Cup, with his five goals helping Sweden to a third-place finish. The giant striker’s main strength is his height and aerial ability, and he is invariably a handful for opposition defenders. However, he is also comfortable on the ground, and is a selfless provider. He scored 38 goals in his first four seasons in Serie A with AS Bari and Bologna FC. Bizarrely left Bologna for SS Lazio in July 99, only to return after playing just two matches for the Roman club.Bayern München &amp Sweden

Birthdate: August 18, 1971Birthplace: Borgeby, SwedenHeight: 1.85 mtsWeight: 84 kgsPosition: DefenderInternational: 61 caps, 0 goals (as of July 29, 2000)World Cups: 1 (1994)Previous Clubs: Malmö FF, Blackburn Rovers, Borussia MönchengladbachTransfer Fee: $3.00 Millions of Dollars Though not a regular starter with FC Bayern München, Andersson is an indispensable figure in the Swedish defence. Equally adept as an orthodox centre-half alongside either Joachim Bjorklund or Teddy Lucic or as a sweeper, Andersson played a huge part in Sweden enjoying the best defensive record in the Euro 2000 qualifying matches. Was shown red card in the opening game of Euro 2000 v. Belgium.Arsenal &amp Sweden

Birthdate: April 16, 1977Birthplace: Halmstad, SwedenHeight: 1.76 mtsWeight: 75 kgsPosition: MidfielderInternational: 15 caps, 2 goals (as of July 29, 2000)World Cups: 0Previous Clubs: Halmstad BKTransfer Fee: $3.00 Millions of Dollars An exciting attacking midfielder, Ljungberg was another young starlet to establish himself during Sweden’s Euro 2000 qualifying campaign. National-team coach Tommy Söderberg regards him as one of the fastest runners with the ball in Europe, and he is also likely to pop up to score crucial goals with late runs into the box. His favoured role is just behind the front two. He scored against Manchester United FC five minutes into his Arsenal FC debut.Kaiserslautern &amp Sweden

Birthdate: September 29, 1975Birthplace: Lund, SwedenHeight: 1.79 mtsWeight: 79 kgsPosition: ForwardInternational: 26 caps, 7 goals (as of July 29, 2000)World Cups: 0Previous Clubs: Dösjebro IF, Malmö FF, Borussia MönchengladbachTransfer Fee: - The 1. FC Kaiserslautern striker has certainly hit top form at just the right time. The former Malmö FF and Borussia Mönchengldbach forward had seen his career seemingly stall following his move to Kaiserslautern, but he has revived his international career with the Swedes’ crucial only goals in successive matches against Austria and Denmark in 1999. A classic poacher.Olympiakos &amp Sweden

Background
A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Indecision over the country's role in the political and economic integration of Europe delayed Sweden's entry into the EU until 1995, and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999.